Haley spends a lot of time posting on our blog, so I’m going to give her a break and post a wedding of mine.

You’ll know from Holly & Ben’s engagement post that this was a very emotional wedding – Ben will shortly be moving away and they will start a long distance relationship for a while. We hope these images will bring them lots of joy while they are apart.

Special thanks to Jennifer Bergman of Jennifer Bergman Weddings for doing day-of wedding coordination for Holly & Ben!

I got a real kick out of going to Eveline Charles in West Edmonton Mall for Holly’s hair and makeup – my pictures were everywhere.

Holly looked beautiful in her dress and the colour scheme in their house is great.

I love the photos from Holly & Ben’s reveal (or, first glance) – they chose the Timm’s Center at the U of A, which was perfect with the big sweeping staircase.

Holly asked that I make sure to keep a few of the bloopers from the wedding – this is one of my favourites.

Holly has a quick touch-up before the ceremony at Ben’s family acreage.

The reception back at the Fantasyland Hotel was full of funny speeches, and fun games.

This game was for the prize of the garter.  All single guys had to dance with these bags on their head, and Holly would choose who was the best dancer.  She eliminated dancers by taking the bags off their heads, and in the end Ben was the best dancer.  Although it might have been rigged…

They had a really fun DJ (Joe) who helped out with the games, you can contact him at info@platinumdj.ca

Thank you Holly & Ben for welcoming me into your wedding. I had a great time with you and your families, and I wish you love and happiness on the next stage of your life together.

I’ve actually been lucky to have seen Joanne and Colin so often before their wedding – they did all of their wedding planning from their home in Lethbridge, but made . Those of you who have been through the wedding planning process will understand how difficult that must have been. When the wedding day arrived, you’d never have known – every detail was perfect. And Colin…I have to say a quick word about Colin. Joanne had the wedding of her dreams, complete with pink everything. Colin is an awesome husband, any man who can rock a pink wedding is a true man in my opinion.

The Robertson-Wesley United Church in downtown Edmonton is a beautiful ceremony location.

After the ceremony, we took a quick trip downtown for photos. I’ve got to say, I’m pretty excited about this group shot.

I asked Christy to get a ring shot, I had the idea that she might be able to get a reflection of the rings in the puddle. She did get the shot that I wanted, but also got this one, which I love as well.

Joanne’s dad’s acreage in Sherwood Park has an amazing backyard, that would rival the Devonian Gardens.

This was my first time at a function at the Snow Valley Ski Club. The room was transformed for the wedding and the food was fantastic! I’d love to go back for a wedding.

Congratulations Joanne & Colin!

We got to meet three of the city’s most adorable kids – mom and dad were a bit camera shy but these kids were amazing! It’s sad to see summer leaving, but we love the amazing light that comes on a fall evening. Perfect for family photos. We met the Young family near to their house. This natural area is turning into a new neighbourhood, and it will be cool for them to watch it develop and remember that once, when they were kids, they got their photos taken there.

Rehana & Shameer’s wedding was my second Muslim wedding and very different from our first one 3 years ago. I was excited to be a part of different ceremonies and traditions that I hadn’t seen before.

One thing that we’ve seen before: the application of mehndi.

A new ceremony for me, the pineapple ceremony. The groom’s uncles place pineapples in four corners of the house (or a room, in this case) in order to protect the house and the wedding festivities from evil spirits. Holy water is brought from the Mosque by Shameer’s sister.

OK, a quick glimpse at Shameer’s ordeal after his pithi – his groomsmen basically get to do whatever they want to him. In this case they chose to cover him in all sorts of condiments, eggs, sardines, and flour. I’m not going to lie, I was gagging a bit as they were applying everything to him. I’m sure he won’t forget this moment when his friends get married in the future.

Rehana’s pithi ceremony was scheduled to be held in this beautiful gazebo at her aunt’s home in the west end of Edmonton. Unfortunately, the rain forced the party inside, but the gazebo was too pretty not to show here.

Rehana’s sister performed a dance that brought Rehana to tears.

The ceremony at the Belle Rive Jamarkhana Mosque was so interesting to see. At the front of the room, a long table where Rehana and Shameer’s parents, and the appointed officiants sit on one side, and Rehana, Shameer, the best man, and matron of honour sit on the other.

All of the wedding guests sit behind the ceremony table and watch the proceedings.

The ceremony itself, as Rehana described it to me beforehand, is a lot of paperwork. The couple signs the provincial marriage documents as well as a Muslim wedding contract. The officiants place the wedding rings on the couple’s fingers, and the ceremony is completed with the recitation of the nikah, which from my understanding is like a sermon that confirms the wedding contract between the couple. (I’m always up for learning new things about culture, so if I have any of this wrong, please let me know!)

After the ceremony, we had some time with the bridal party at the U of A. Other than the ferocious mosquitoes, we had a great time.

So here’s a tale of ‘you know you’re meant to be a wedding photographer when…..’
I quite literally had a dream the night before this wedding about a picture I was going to take of the wedding rings. I could see it in my dream, as clear as anything, and I woke up on the morning of the wedding knowing exactly what I wanted to do. I wracked my brain to try and remember if I’d seen it anywhere recently, but I came up with nothing. So here it is, the ring shot that I dreamed up.

Just a quick peek at the reception, and a decision that Rehana & Shameer made. They made the really cool decision to sit among their guests rather than at a head table. It says a lot about who they are – not wanting to be the center of attention but wanting to really celebrate with their guests.

Congratulations you two! Thank you for bringing me to your wedding, and teaching me so many new things.

Another tale of international love…Mandeep is from Chicago and Sandeep is from Edmonton. The wedding will be in Chicago next year, and we wish them a wonderful wedding.

Beth & Malambo planned their wedding in Fawcett, AB over great distances. She was in Halifax, and he was in Zambia. They had been able to spend quite a bit of time together while she worked on her Masters in International Development Studies, and came back to Alberta to celebrate their marriage.

The ceremony took place near the family cabin at Fawcett, AB. The whole day was very relaxed with great food, and a lot of good conversation. Their goal for the wedding day was simple: that everyone have a great time.

The ceremony itself was down by the water, a short distance from the cabin. In this intimate location, surrounded by family, friends, and nature, Beth and Malambo expressed their love for each other.

Beth’s dad gave a really personal speech at the wedding, and everyone cried.

Following the ceremony, they celebrated by planting a tree near the ceremony site.

As sweet and romantic as these two are, they definitely have a goofy side…

There was a wicked game of croquet going on back at the reception BBQ.

The laid-back atmosphere was made so festive by the touches of African decor on the tables.

Congratulations Beth & Malambo!

We’ve grown very close to Nitu & Jessie over the last several years, seeing them at various weddings and other events, and being with them along the way for their engagement and wedding planning. They were there for us when my dad passed away this year, and when Nitu’s grandmother passed away several days before the wedding our hearts broke for them. We immediately printed up copies of photos of her we had taken from their engagement party, and did all we could to support Nitu during such a hard time. Despite the sad news, Nitu & Jessie’s wedding was a joyous event, and both families were so happy to celebrate the union. As you have probably seen from their engagement sessions we posted recently, Nitu & Jessie are an adorable couple, with a wicked sense of humour.

Soon we’ll be having dinner and drinks and giving them a preview disc of their images, but for now here is a taste of their wedding day and reception.

Our second-shooter Raymond got to see his first turban construction.

Nitu had beautiful touches of blue in her wedding lengha.

I’m waiting for our first Western wedding with a 27 person bridal party but I don’t think it’s going to happen…

This is so cheesy, and so Bollywood, but somehow it just works.

Jessie is a soccer fanatic, in fact he injured his foot a few days before the wedding playing soccer, so going to Foote field for photos on his wedding day was a must.

His passion was also a weakness during the doli, the bridesmaids used it as a part of their negotiations for more money to release Nitu to Jessie.

There’s usually barely any room for us to stand during the doli. Raymond was on the fence about shooting this one….literally!

Jessie applies sindoor (red powder) to Nitu’s forehead to signify her status as a married woman.

On the reception day, Michael and I had a blast partying with everyone. We picked Nitu & Jessie up at their hotel, and whisked them away for some photos before the reception.

Finally, Nitu is the same height as Jessie!

The reception at Maharaja Banquet Hall was beautifully decorated. Check out this amazing entrance decor!

And the cake with special lighting touches looked beautiful.

Jessie’s uncle, Edmonton City Councillor Amarjeet Sohi, had some words of wisdom for the couple.

Following an energetic dance performance, the party really got started! After we were done taking pictures, I took all of the gear home, and Michael stayed an partied…and got home at 3 am. I think he had a good time!

UPDATE: Nitu & Jessie’s wedding has been featured on the wedding blog ‘Red White and Diamonds’! You can see more images, including pre-wedding events (and a special appearance by Spongebob) on Red, White, and Diamonds.

Jill & Marlow will be married in October. The Shandro Family and Jill’s family have crossed paths a lot, Michael grew up in a house built by Jill’s family company, and we bought our house from the same company as well (and her sister was the real estate agent!). Needless to say, we’ll know a few faces at the wedding.

Meet Marlow (left) and Jill (right).

If you look closely, you’ll see two engagement rings!

Michael noticed this awesome lens flare/ball of fire from where he was shooting, and had to use it. He placed them this way, and Jill and Marlow had no idea until they came in to see the photos. It turned out to be the biggest print they ordered!

Simply beautiful.

See you in October!

Michael spent some time at the Eveline Charles West Edmonton Mall location for their bridal collection. His work is now seen on their website here and also in emails being sent to clients about their bridal services.  The salon has a great spa for a bride and her bridesmaids to enjoy before the wedding, and a salon for wedding day hair and makeup.  There are four locations in Edmonton, three in Calgary, and two in Kelowna.  You’ll get a peek at the West Ed location for Holly & Ben’s wedding coming up this weekend!

A few years ago we donated a gift certificate to a silent auction at L. Y. Cairns school where Michael’s sister Krista was working. Vanesa, Krista’s colleague, was the lucky winner. It took us a little while to connect, and in between Vanesa added another little one to her family! Once our studio opened we were happy to welcome them for family portraits.

This are two very busy parents! We have enough on our hands with one child, I can’t imagine five!

We got pictures of each child alone, and I have to share this little one – SO adorable.